A Marine Corps veteran on a walk to heal from PTSD and regain peace, with Gabe «Wing It» Vasquez (BPR #334)

On today’s episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, presented by LMNT, we’re joined by Gabe Vasquez, known on the trail as «Wing It.» Gabe is a U.S. Marine Corps combat veteran, long-distance kayaker and cyclist, and the first known Mexican-American to complete the Triple Crown.

Gabe talks about his time in the Marine Corps and the challenges that followed: PTSD, becoming addicted to medications prescribed to manage PTSD, as well as anxiety and depression, losing friends to suicide after his service, and night terrors. In his efforts to heal, Gabe turned to adventure. He started paddling the Mississippi with a friend, then hiked the PCT, followed by eight consecutive years of backpacking, rowing, and long-distance cycling. Gabe shares how that time in nature helped him regain his peace and why today he is happier than ever.

It’s worth noting that this episode includes graphic descriptions of PTSD and suicide. If these topics are sensitive or triggering for you, be careful when listening to them.

We end the show with news of a pair of fatal bear attacks near the Ozark Highlands Trail, a partially blind grandmother who hiked the PCT, averaging nearly 40 miles a day in the process, the ultimate etiquette for opening doors to strangers, and the triple crown of worst phrases and expressions.

HEAR

Discharge this episode.

Lmnt: Get a free sample pack with any order at www.drinklmnt.com/trek.

Gauze equipment: Check out the Type II collection at gossamergear.com.

Interview with Gabe “Wing It” Vásquez

Timestamps and questions

00:05:20 – Reminders: Apply to the Trek blog, subscribe to our youtube channeland listen to our episodes ad-free on Patreon!

00:12:45 – Introducing Gabe

00:16:10 – What was it like joining the Marines?

00:22:45 – What was your specific job like in the Marine Corps?

00:23:30 – Tell us about your implementations

00:29:20 – What was the vibe like in that kind of environment?

00:33:37 – Did you know that you were actively pushing things at that time?

00:35:06 – What was the downturn like when you returned from a deployment?

00:36:40 – At what point did you seek professional help?

00:38:30 – How did post-traumatic stress disorder occur to you?

00:42:35 – How did you know you needed to stop taking the medications?

00:49:30 – How did you go from experiencing these symptoms to defending others?

00:56:04 – How did you decide to kayak the Mississippi River?

00:59:20 – Did you feel a sense of accomplishment after the kayak trip?

01:09:20 – Did you enter the PCT wanting to climb it?

01:13:20 – At what point did being in nature start to work for you?

01:14:45 – Knowing what you know now, would you have joined the Marines?

01:17:22 – At what point did the nightmares decrease or improve?

01:20:00 – Have you met other veterans along the way?

01:22:40 – Do you have a lot of people approaching you?

01:25:00 – Is the period between adventures very difficult for you?

01:26:30 – Are you trying to do the Seven Summits?

01:27:55 – Was it strange that the PCT was so white?

01:36:15 – Do you have favorite summit music?

01:37:26 – What are some of your favorite tracker angel stories?

01:40:00 – What is a typical MRE meal like?

01:41:30 – What attracted you to cycling after the PCT?

01:46:30 – What are the advantages and disadvantages of long-distance cycling versus hiking?

01:50:50 – Fuck Marry Kill: cycling, rowing and hiking

01:54:10 – What did it feel like to complete the Triple Crown?

01:58:00 – Discussion on LNT

01:59:20 – What other interesting shots do you have?

02:05:20 – What other team do you like?

02:10:16 – Tell us about almost being arrested in Egypt

02:19:05 – Are you worried that drugs may trigger PTSD?

02:26:00 – What is your favorite trail or trail story?

02:28:35 – Do unrealistic war movies bother you?

02:30:55 – Stay Salty Question: What advice would you like to give?

Segments

Propaganda clues

QOTD: What is the appropriate distance to hold a door for someone?

Triple Crown of the worst expressions/phrases

mail bag

Check out our sound technician. @mi_chico_pauly/ and your coffee.

Subscribe to the Trek newsletter

Leave us a voicemail!

Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes (and please leave us a comment)! Find us at Spotify, Seamstressand GooglePlay.

Support us on Patreon for additional content.

Advertising on Backpacker Radio

Continue The walk, Chaunce, Badgerand Route correspondents in instagram.

Continue Backpacking Radio, The walk and Chaunce in YouTube.

Continue Backpacking Radio on Tik Tok.

Our theme song is Walking slow by animal years.

A big thank you to our Patreon Chuck Norris Award winners: Alex and Misty with NavigatorsCrafting, Alex Kindle, Andrew, Austen McDaniel, Bill Jensen, Brad & Blair Thirteen Adventures, Bret Mullins aka Cruizy, Bryan Alsop, Carl Lobstah Houde, Christopher Marshburn, Clint Sitler, Marion Outdoors Trainer Eric Casper, Erik Hofmann, Ethan Harwell, Gillian Daniels, Greg Knight, Greg Martin, Griffin Haywood, Hailey Buckingham, Jason Kiser, Krystyn Bell, Matt from Gilbert, AZ, Patrick Cianciolo, Randy Sutherland, Rebecca Brave, Rural Jury, Sawyer Products, SPAM, The Saint Louis Shaman, Timothy Hahn, Tracy ‘Trigger’ Fawns

A big thank you to our Patreon Cinnamon Connection champions: Bells, Benjy Lowry, Bonnie Ackerman, Brett Vandiver, Chris Pyle, David, David Neal, Dcnerdlet, Denise Krekeler, Jack Greene, Jeanie, Jeanne Latshaw, Luke Netjes, Merle Watkins, Peter, Quenten Jones, Ruth S, Salt Stain, and Spencer Hinson.